When did we start using utility markers like these?

[Philip H]

Over at MRH, James McNab describes some finishing touches for his Grime Line layout - which include scale replicas of the utility markers that are all over:

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/22084

My question is what year did those go into effect?  I checked wikipedia and google and got nothing.

Thanks!

[Missaberoad]

I've seen burried cable markers on Canadian Pacific with their multimark logo printed on them so that takes them back to 1988...
You Would have to check when your prototype removed their  signal lines and if they burried the cables afterwards...
I know on CP and CN in Manitoba they are primarily a main line detail...

[C855B]

Don't know a precise date, but I recall first seeing the orange version for fiber installations in the late '80s or early '90s. These came about as various "call before you dig" laws were passed in each state.

The statement "red means power (electric or gas)" is sort of close. Red indicates electric power. Gas is yellow, water is blue. http://www.cctexas.com/government/gas/damage-prevention/index  Scroll down on their page to see examples of the markers.

[C855B]

Quick search... "dig laws" as we know them now with the standardized color codes came about in the mid-'80s. I found three different dates for legislatures passing their particular versions, from 1984 to 1988.

[Philip H]

So a line or two of these would be appropriate in 1995-2005.

Multo Bene'